Cranberry White Chocolate Swirled Danishes

I’m slightly freaking out here, but I guess it’s possible that that’s part of what makes this season so fun, all the rush. (Ha, it’s safer than skydiving and cheaper than drugs.) I’m excited because I think this year is going to be one of, if not, the best ever. In fact, it’s already been a great month filled with so many firsts for me.

Hey, I finally watched all the Gilmore Girls episodes because it’s been all anyone can talk about since it got released and I was starting to fear spoilers. All I’m gonna say is; Wow, I totally get the hype now! I’m seriously dying to gush about it, but like I said, spoilers. But can we at least take a vote on how long we should collectively wait before it’s safe to start talking about it?

Also you guys, guess what I’ve been forgetting to mention since last week??? My boyfriend (still getting used to having one of these to refer to btw) got us tickets to something this weekend that I’m so psyched up about! *Curtains please……* The Nutcracker! Yes, for reals! It’s showing at a the Teatro del Lago in Frutillar, which is a small touristy town across the lake from us. Oh, and not only do we have tickets but we’ve got front row seats!

Can you tell I’m looking forward to this a tiny bit? Sorry for the enthusiasm but going to The Nutcracker at Christmastime is one of the fondest memories I have from growing up in The States. I didn’t think I’d ever get to see it again, especially not here. And come on, who doesn’t love it.? Well, okay fine, so the thought of sitting down for x amount of hours to watch men dance around in tights and listen to classical music is probably not everyone’s thing. It’s certainly not BF’s, I think he’d secretly rather schedule a cat scan or something that evening, but for that reason his gift holds a lot more meaning. The fact that he’s going to take me and endure it just because I want to see it so much speaks volumes. (I think he kinda likes me 🙂 !!!)

So anyway, these danishes were something I came up with a few weeks ago, right after Thanksgiving actually. I was trying to think of something to make with this jar of leftover homemade cranberry sauce that I refused to let spoil because it had far to much value to me. How I wish I could tell you that I had made it myself, but unfortunately I have no clue where to get fresh cranberries here. All I know is that they do have them somewhere as proved by this cranberry sauce I’m talking about. It was given to us by a recent acquaintance of my mom’s. Speaking of which, would someone please remind me to hunt this woman down sometime between now and next Thanksgiving and demand info on how to get them. I need sources people! I’m thinking there could be black market deals and mafia involved here but I prepared to go all out to get my hands on them.

I’ve been asked by my sisters to make danishes a few times recently and they seemed like a perfect option. I will say that there are different types of danishes I’ve tried in the past, some using puff pastry or crescent dough, and they have their own merits. However, there is definitely something to be said about these much easier ones using a simple yeast dough. I guess that applies more if you’re planning to make them from scratch, if we’re getting real, puff pastry is not something I’m willing to make everyday ’cause it takes a lot of patience. These though, super easy.

Alright, and now that I’ve gushed my excitement and introduced these sweet treats I think we’re good here. I’d love to know what you think of these if you do decide to try em!

In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl), dissolve yeast in milk and allow to sit for about 5 minutes until bubbly. Beat in eggs and sugar, then butter and salt until combined. Add flour a cup at a time until your dough comes together and starts to pull away from the sides of bowl. Cover bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and place in warm place to rise until doubled in size. (Alternatively, you can refrigerate the dough overnight and have it ready for a quick breakfast. Just pull it out about an hour before you want to use it.)

Meanwhile, make your filling, Beat cranberry sauce, sugar, butter, vanilla, and lemon in a medium mixing bowl until well combined.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 C) and line a baking tray with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a rectangle, about 1/4 inch tall. Spread the cranberry filling mixture to cover the dough in an even layer and sprinkle with white chocolate. Fold one half of the dough, matching the shorter sides, over the filling to sort of enclose it like an envelope. Now cut into 14 - 16 strips (longways) and, one at a time, gently start twisting the corners of each strip and stretch into a rope. Twist into spirals and place on parchment tray. [Note: some the filling will be sure to squeeze out as you twist them, that's okay. Just make sure to do it on a clean surface and then you can spoon the excess over the finished spirals just before baking.]

Bake for 18 - 20 minutes until edges start to brown. Remove pan(s) from oven and allow the to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Comments

have fun at the nutcracker!! sounds like it will be amazing and sentimental and i hope it’s everything you remembered it to be (: plus, these danishes sound amazing; cranberry and white chocolate is such a good, balanced combo.